The United States has carried out new strikes targeting multiple sites across Iran in direct retaliation for recent attacks on commercial shipping, according to U.S. Central Command (Centcom).
The strikes were a response to Iranian aggression, including a drone attack on a Panama-flagged vessel and a separate incident involving a Singapore-flagged cargo ship. Centcom stated that Iran had been given an opportunity to adhere to a ceasefire agreement but failed to do so.
Centcom reported that the targets included military equipment, communication systems, air defense sites, and drone storage facilities. The command described the U.S. strikes as a "powerful response" to what it called "unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces."
Earlier, Iran's foreign ministry had stated that it conducted strikes against targets linked to American forces, blaming the U.S. for the escalating situation. Iran claimed the cargo ship was attacked for using an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz and that the U.S. retaliatory strikes constituted a violation of a ceasefire.
The U.S. and Iran had previously agreed on June 17 to end hostilities under a memorandum of understanding. This agreement also stipulated that Iran would make its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days."
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for oil and gas shipments. Its closure by Tehran in late February following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran caused a significant spike in global oil prices and disrupted the shipment of other critical commodities.